Tabitha went to a BALL!!

A Military Ball that is!

This is Tabitha and her good friend, Nathanael

Hmm, I think they are up to some thing here

Oh, yes!!

Time to jump on the tampoline


A BIG thanks to Nathanael's Mom for taking these pictures.


P.S. It's good to see our baby girl happy again!!

David has been working hard

Last night we had a Boy Scout Court of Honor. This boy has been working really hard. Last night David received 5 merit badges and his totem chip.


And then he had a rank advancement to Star rank

It's fun for his Dad to be one of his Scout Master's.

Me, getting the Mother's Pin

Because we all know how much work it is for us Mom's!!

Back to School part 2

So much stuff...


And here's Amber getting ready to leave in our beloved Ruby.


Amber got another surprise today. When she saw her Symphonic Band director he was congratulated her on her audition on Monday and welcomed her into the band. He told her how much he would be relying on her int he bassoon section. Then he said "Congratulations for being in the Orchestra as well"! WHAT?!?!?! Amber's in the orchestra too!!!??? HOLY MOLY!! It is very rare that a freshman gets placed into orchestra. What an honor!

We are so proud of you Amber!!

You Know You're a Band Nerd When...

...you get excited when your brand new instrument case arrives!!!


It's been a good day for Amber as she found out her placement in the bands at Western Washington University. She is in the Symphonic Band. Which we actually expected since she is a Freshman. What we didn't expect was her being placed as the PRINCIPAL bassoonist!!! So proud of Amber and all her hard work that has gotten her where she is today.

She also got the job at the Music Department office. How perfect is that?

She now is tucked sweetly in her bed getting ready for her very first day of school tomorrow. And Ruby (our van) is going back to school too. Thank you Ruby for getting our 3rd child back and forth to classes. She's been a great little van!!

LOOK MOM!!!

I HAVE 'MATERS!!!!

She would be SO, SO proud of me!!! It's the little times like these (yes, even after all these years) that I miss her even more than usual. I would LOVE to share these with her right now!

DRAMA...

...life is just too short for it to be in your (OUR) lives. Drama by definition:
is the specific mode of fiction represented in performance.
or this one:
A situation or succession of events in real life having the dramatic progression or emotional effect characteristic of a play.

Since Wednesday night, I've felt like this:

That's me running!

We have recently been accused of being a family that is "all about drama". It really got me to thinking. Seriously, I'm not looking for complements. It's been a time of self-reflection. My mind is just going all over the place and assessing our (MY) behavior. Am I all about drama? I honestly don't think I or my family are.

When someone (and I really, honestly appreciate this) comes to me directly because they've heard a rumor that doesn't "sound like something our family would do" I tell them the truth. Sometimes the event is very personal to expound details but I will fill them in as much as possible.

Other people's perceptions of how I (or my family) behave because it's not how THEY think we should, honestly, isn't my responsibility. My responsibility is for me and my family to do what is right and true for US. People can spread all the falsehoods and untruths they desire because in MY heart I know we have and are doing what is right for OUR family. And as long as we're not hurting anyone, spreading rumors and lies, then that's what is most important. What is best for OUR family.

And this is what WE choose:

Thanks for reading my crazy rant from my overly tired brain.

We Seriously just HAD to!!

Our family is SO addicted to Deadliest Catch

So much so that when we learned that one of the ships from the show were docked in Ballard, we just HAD to go see if we could find it. And we did!!!



They were just SO excited!!

Of course they just both had to touch it

Of course we had to get in on the action


The Deck



Where they sort the crab


Where Captain Keith rules the boat!!




It's hard to imagine these crab pots on the boat. These things are HUGE!!!

Amber is 5' 7" and she is as tall as 2 of these crab pots.

Who knew see a boat could be SO fun!!

We Just CAN'T Forget!!

How can we not remember exactly where we were 9 years ago when this happened?


This is such a beautiful and simple tribute


And honestly, this hits even closer to home this year because of Robert being over in Iraq


And having to say "goodbye" to him and all of his buddy's in his unit


And knowing where this plane is taking them

Please, please DON'T forget!!!

Adjusting!

This back to school thing is strange! Strange in the way that we only have this:

ONE CHILD...ONE SCHOOL

Honestly it seriously doesn't seem that long ago when we were in the throws of ALL four of them doing this together. A senior and a kindergartner and 2 in between!!

How did we ever cope and get everything accomplished?

And now? That kindergartner is now is 8th grade!!! Mom and Dad get to sleep in an hour later because he doesn't have seminary (bible study). But he will start Jazz Band in October. And he's in Spirit Band again for the high school.

Boy, our family is growing up!!

PS: Amber doesn't start at Western until September 22nd so technically we will have another one in school.

Small Town Living

As many of you know, we live in Lynden. We've lived here now for 16 years (in December). When we moved here the population was a whopping 7,500. No, I didn't leave off a zero either. Talk about culture shock!! But refreshing at the same time. Now the town population increased to 11,700. We helped with that increase by 1!! What do we love about this town? Here's just a few reasons. Lynden is:

• A town where a hand shake is just as good as a written contract.
• A town where a stranger sees you struggling with a toddler in one arm and packages in another and honestly wants to carry your packages to your car.
• A town where people say "Good Morning/Afternoon" to you when you walk on the trail.
• And a town where this is in front of someones house

Total and complete "honor system". See the lock box on the left, front of the table? And the best part? The corn is DELICIOUS!!! I think this will be a corn overdose weekend.

WE LOVE LIVING IN LYNDEN!!!